Celtics’ 10 biggest games of 2012-13 season

A new NBA season is about to begin, and Doc Rivers and the Celtics have reloaded for another run at a championship. It’s no easy road ahead, and every game’s important, but some games elevate about the others and serve as measuring sticks. Here’s a look at the 10 biggest games of 2012-13.
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The Boston Globe

The season opener will be a scorcher as the Celtics take on the Heat in Miami Oct. 30. The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and now, former Celtic Ray Allen will be wearing black and red instead of green and white. Last year during the Conference Finals, the Heat beat the Celtics 4 games to 3 en route to the NBA Finals and an NBA title.
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The Boston Globe

The home opener matches the Celtics against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 2. With rookies John Henson and Doron Lamb, the Bucks are out to improve on a 31-35 record last season, but Celtics newcomer Jason Terry will also likely be out to dazzle in his Celtics debut at TD Garden.
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AP

The Oklahoma City Thunder will come to Boston on Nov. 23, led by stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Former Celtics center Kendrick Perkins also return to face the team he played seven seasons with. The last time Perkins came to face the Celtics after being traded to the Thunder in 2011, emotions ran high. "But you have to remember that it's a basketball game," said Perkins. "You had friendships with these guys so it's hard." The Thunder lost to the Heat in the NBA Finals, 4-1.
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AP

The Celtics will travel to Brooklyn to play the Nets on Christmas Day at noon, the first of an NBA showcase of five marquee matchups. The Nets have improved by adding high-scoring Joe Johnson and wingman Gerald Wallace to play alongside point guard Deron Williams and center Brook Lopez, and will be an interesting matchup against Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and newcomer Jason Terry.
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AP

While Jan. 27 will be the second time the Heat face the Celtics this season, it'll be former Celtics guard Ray Allen's first game back in TD Garden since opting to play for Miami. It will be interesting to see what kind of reception Boston fans have in store for him.
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Reuters

Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers visit Boston Feb. 7, and they’ll have a couple extra stars with them. Center Dwight Howard and guard Steve Nash were among the biggest offseason transactions, and the Lakers clearly have title aspirations and the firepower to get there.
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REUTERS

The Bulls visit on Feb. 13, and former Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau brings a lineup of young but dangerous players. Star point guard Derrick Rose may not be ready for action by this game—he’s recovering from knee surgery—but the Bulls have weapons in Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Taj Gibson. The Celtics lead the all-time series with 112 wins in 203 regular-season games.
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The Boston Globe

The Celtics travel to Los Angeles on Feb. 20 as the second leg of a five-game West Coast swing. In last season’s only visit to the Lakers, the Celtics lost, 97-94, then returned to the Staples Center the next night and beat the Clippers.
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AP

The Celtics take on the Knicks in New York on March 31, a potential playoff preview. In the 64-year span that the two teams have played each other, the Celtics have been victorious in 275 out of 447 regular season games against New York.
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AP

By April 16, the second-to-last game of the season for the Celtics, final playoff positioning could be on the line when the Indiana Pacers come to Boston. Last season, the Pacers finished with a 48-29 record and had a solid showing in the playoffs, eliminating the Magic before losing to the Heat.
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